March 18th, 2010 | 
Author: Scuba diving іѕ something I hаνе wanted tο learn fοr a long time. I’d really lіkе fοr a friend tο take lessons wіth mе, bυt mу friends аrе еіthеr tοο busy οr nοt interested іn learning tο dive. Sο I’d bе starting really οn mу οwn, nοt knowing аnу οthеr divers. Cаn уου give mе ѕοmе tips οn getting ѕtаrtеd аnd meeting others tο dive wіth?
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You are in the same situation that I was years ago.
First, find a dive shop in your area. If there are multiple shops, do any of them have a dive club?
Second, take the basic open water course from that dive shop. Try to sign up for a group class. Do your certification dives locally (instead of internationally). Get the names of the people in your certification class. You’ll probably find a lot of people that will be interested in diving, but are lacking a dive buddy just like you.
Hopefully, there is some where local that a lot of diver will go to train. It may not be the best diving environment, but it allows you to dive.
If you like that dive shop, take some trips with them.
Doug answered pretty well. You will want to find a local dive shop, or… “LDS” as they say it on the scuba forums. Second find out when their next class is going to be. they usually have one start up every month. I would say after you are done and certified, i would say you have spent about $600-800 in required gear for the class, the class price itself, checkout dives depending on where they go, travel and food and equipment of that nature. you should place that much away and hopefully you will walk away with some money in your pocket. your going to need a snorkel, fins, booties, mask, gloves, and books for the class. you can rent everything else. i would make sure you are a excellent swimmer, and can equalize your ears in a 15′ pool. If you have any medical issues in the past or present, get your doctor to check you out before you spend the cash. Like doug said, you will probably meet someone in the class that you can relate to and make them your dive buddy. a place i recommend read-owing to out is WWW.Scubaboard.com. that is a place i look to when i have dive related questions. all in all, its a fun, yet expensive sport to do. just be sure you have the pockets and the rest will fall into place.